AOL Launches Week-long Series Of Activities In Seattle

AOL for Broadband announced today that it is launching a week-long series of activities in Seattle that will bring residents of the city and surrounding communities a firsthand look at how AOL for Broadband offers a more complete high-speed Internet experience to its members.

The AOL for Broadband activities will showcase the relevancy of broadband in unique ways, with samples of the great music, sports and entertainment content as well as family management and safety and security tools included with the AOL for Broadband service. High-speed Internet access in the home is reshaping the online landscape, with more consumers buying premium services on top of their basic cable or DSL connections. Nationwide household broadband usage has climbed to more than 51 percent, a 13 percent increase in one year.

The series of events, designed to show Seattle residents how AOL for Broadband can enhance their lives, takes place from August 30 - September 6 and includes an offer for commuters to receive free ferry rides for walk-on passengers going to Bainbridge and Bremerton Islands from Pier 52 at Colman Dock all-day on Tuesday, August 31. During this time, riders will receive a complimentary full-fare ticket, as well as free coffee at two locations near the ferries and free Wi-Fi Internet access during the day on laptop computers equipped with a wireless card or wireless capabilities.

Additional events and activities in Seattle include a sweepstakes for residents to enter for a chance to win an array of broadband technology for their home, a glimpse at a digital home brought to life through interactive rooms in locations throughout the city, a free concert by Australian rock band JET at the The Premier, an opportunity to watch interviews with local athletes by broadcasting legend Roy Firestone, and much more.

"We are excited to bring AOL for Broadband to life for Seattle residents with this series of events," said Kevin Conroy, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of AOL for Broadband. "AOL for Broadband offers a more complete broadband experience for the entire family, with access to on-demand and exclusive content from sports, music, news and entertainment; built in safety and security features; advanced communication tools; custom spam filters and much more. But Seattle residents don't have to take my word for it, they can come experience it for themselves."

Among the scheduled activities are:

-- A local sweepstakes that will award three winners the chance to outfit a room in their house with cutting edge broadband technology, including state-of-the-art Intel(R) processor-based PC's, which AOL for Broadband experts will personally install in winners' homes. Seattle-area residents can go to www.aolcityguide.com/seattle or AOL Keyword: Seattle to enter.

-- Explore today's digital household, brought to life through Kitchen, Entertainment and Kid's Rooms that let visitors see firsthand how AOL for Broadband makes daily chores easier, provides great entertainment for the family, and help keeps kids safer online. These rooms will travel to popular Seattle destinations such as Wild Waves, Seahawks Qwest Stadium, Alki Beach and numerous shopping and entertainment venues around the city.

-- Free Washington State Ferry tickets for one full-fare trip will be distributed all-day at Pier 52 at Colman Dock to walk-on commuters going to Bainbridge or Bremerton Islands on Tuesday, August 31. The complementary ferry tickets will be valid for use through December 31. 2004. During the time that AOL for Broadband will be offering the free ferry rides, passengers can also receive free coffee at two locations within the ferry terminal and Wi-Fi Internet access during the day to those who bring laptop computers equipped with a wireless card or wireless capabilities. The AOL for Broadband Entertainment Room will also be positioned at the ferry station so commuters can explore the latest in home technology as they enter and exit the ferry.

-- A free concert by Australian rock band JET on Friday, September 3 at The Premier. AOL members have the opportunity to enter for a chance to win a pair of free tickets to the concert. Check www.aolcityguide.com/seattle or AOL Keyword: Seattle for more information on how to get tickets. Radio stations K-Rock 96.5 and KISS 106.1 will also be giving away tickets to listeners. The concert will be taped for AOL Music's popular weekly Broadband Rocks(TM) concert series, and will air at a later date at AOL Keyword: Broadband Rocks.

-- Legendary sports interviewer Roy Firestone, host of AOL for Broadband's "Time Out With..." series, will interview Seattle Seahawks players following their game against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, September 2. Taking place in the Club Level of Qwest Field, fans are invited to get up close and personal as Roy conducts live interviews and will have the opportunity to ask their own questions. Check out www.aolcityguide.com/seattle or AOL Keyword: Seattle for complete details.

-- AOL for Broadband is an official sponsor of the annual Bumbershoot Music Festival being held Friday, September 3 through Monday, September 6. While there, Bumbershoot attendees can check out AOL for Broadband's photo e-mail and video booth and meet AOL's world famous figure, the AOL Running Man. AOL for Broadband's VIP Lounge located at the main stage in Memorial Stadium will offer an enhanced viewing experience; music fans can win tickets to the Lounge through K-Rock 96.5 and KISS 106.1.

-- Children up to 13 years of age will receive complimentary admission to the Pacific Science Center on Friday, September 3 from 10:00am to 6:00pm from AOL for Broadband as part of the Bumbershoot Music Festival's Family Day. The children visiting the venue will be able to experience Pacific Science Center's hands-on science exhibits for free, will receive special discounts to IMAX(R) films - including NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience, sponsored by AOL for Broadband--and explore an AOL for Broadband Kid's Room.

-- AOL for Broadband is proud to support The Emerald City Kick-Off Classic on Saturday, September 4 at Qwest Stadium. The event will host thousands of area residents for a great game of High School football and display an AOL for Broadband Entertainment Room for event attendees to explore.

-- As part of their broader participation in these events, Intel will be offering a "Start Your Digital Life with AOL and Intel" promotion exclusive to select Seattle-area Circuit City store locations. For the next four weeks, consumers who purchase a desktop or notebook PC with an Intel Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading Technology and sign up for AOL for Broadband will qualify to receive a $100 mail-in rebate.

-- Shoppers at IKEA's Seattle-area store can visit a room outfitted by AOL for Broadband with the latest technology.

Locations for the special events and promotions will be available at AOL CityGuide on the Web here or at AOL Keyword: Seattle. The week-long series of events will also include promotions on local Infinity Broadcasting stations: K-Rock 96.5, KISS 106.1, KMPS 94.1, and KZOK 102.5, that include giveaways and concert tickets.